Birds

Trip leaders and participants kept a record of the birds spotted during the Wings Over the Rockies Festival in May 2010. You can view this list by clicking on Upper Columbia Valley Bird Checklist. This may not be a complete list but it's a testimony of the abundance of birds seen in this valley. In addition to recording birds, many take pleasure in photographing birds. The images below are provided by participants as well as local photographers and birders.

One interesting feature of the Wetlands Paddle, is the nest of a Great Horned Owl found on the cliffs facing the wetlands. Visitors could see the nest hole and maybe got a peak at the adult owl patiently waiting.

Finally, the chick takes a peek at the world.

Always alert, the mother owl keeps a watchful eye on junior.

The young owl fledges from the nest while still downy around the head and without noticeable ear tufts.

The juvenile owl tries to look big!

Great Horned Owl photos donated by Dani Tschudin, Visual Exposures.

The Red-necked Grebe fishing in Lilian Lake. Photo by Eric Lloyd

A rare sighting of the Long-billed Curlew. This bird was hunted to near extinction but has seen a slight resurgence. It displays a lively courtship dance during breeding season and uses its long beak to forage in the mud. Photo by John Ede

There's nothing common of the striking beauty of a Common Loon. Photo by Amar Athwal

Check out the All About Birds link to learn more about these and other birds. At this site you can even listen to the songs and calls of birds!